Wendy Langham, Programme Manager of the massively successful £40 Million Connswater Community Greenway Project in East Belfast was in Newry yesterday giving a presentation to Newry and Mourne District Council on the project.
While in Newry she made on a visit to the Albert Basin site opposite The Quays Shopping Centre where local campaigning group Newry 2020 are lobbying for a central park for the city.
Wendy was met by Newry and Mourne Mayor, Daire Hughes and Newry, Mourne and Down Councillor Gary Stokes and other council officials.
Newry 2020 have been campaigning since last year for a city park for all based at the Albert Basin and have an online petition with over 1600 names at present. The petition itself has attracted many comments from supporters of the idea who recognise the need for a central park in Newry.
Joe: "at long last someone has created a visual impression of the jewel we have in this city.The total support of everyone is required to realize this fantastic scheme."
Cara: " I shouldn't need to leave Newry to find a decent place to enjoy a nice day out when it's possible to have one in the city center that means I can leave the car behind."
Raquel: I work in Newry and the reason why I don't live in Newry is because there's no green space where I can walk my dog and breathe fresh air, meet friends, relax and get in touch with nature and close to the sea. Newry desperately needs a park!
Ciaran: "It's the best city center space we will ever get the chance to use wisely! These type of parks just don't exist in other city's. use it as the base camp for tackling Carlingford Lough! For show casing the city and for making the canal a highly used tourist attraction. Just look to camlough lake for inspiration and that's in the middle of no where with zero passing traffic. We have this park with huge passing traffic and multiple access routes. No building will do it justice, keep it park land"
You can sign the petition HERE
